KHS Deputy Director

An exciting opportunity awaits at the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) to provide direction and project leadership for a dynamic team of history professionals. The Deputy Director will be the catalyst that brings together our research experiences, collections stewardship, and educational approach to build a platform that welcomes all to explore their Kentucky history. You must be both a strategic thinker and an articulate advocate for the objectives and priorities of the Kentucky Historical Society at all times.  The KHS Governing and Foundation boards are jointly developing a strategic direction with opportunities to implement a vision for KHS’s role in the upcoming American Semiquincentennial.

The KHS Deputy Director will lead and mentor staff in the realization of the Kentucky Historical Society’s mission and strategic priorities through day-to-day program activities. This position reports to the Executive Director. The KHS Deputy Director directs the organization's leadership team to implement the daily program operations of a complex historical organization that engages communities across the entire Commonwealth, hosts over 48,000 guests annually at three museum sites, facilitates hundreds of thousands of online interactions, employs approximately 60 staff members, within an annual budget of $7.2 million. The Deputy Director demonstrates collaborative leadership in the implementation of the KHS vision through a yearly program plan and the development of special projects or initiatives. This position supports the Executive Director in efforts to effectively manage resources which moves KHS forward in pursuit of strategic priorities and goals. They will demonstrate a passion for the value of Kentucky's history and the impact KHS has on communities. The Deputy Director is a member of the KHS Leadership Team, serves as chief counsel and confidante for KHS’s Executive Director, and assumes the responsibilities of the Executive Director in their absence. 

The Kentucky Historical Society:

The Kentucky Historical Society is many things: a library, a museum, an educational institution, and a research center. We oversee three historic sites and protect a treasure trove of documents and artifacts for the public. But at the heart of it all, we are a network of people dedicated to preserving and exploring Kentucky’s rich and fascinating past and then using the power of history to improve life today.

Since 1836 the public has entrusted the Kentucky Historical Society to be the keeper of the commonwealth’s legacy. The Kentucky Historical Society has continued to re-imagine this commitment, deepening it to also help Kentuckians recognize history’s value and use it to address the enduring social, economic, and sustainability challenges facing us today.

Visit here for more information about the Kentucky Historical Society.

Essential Responsibilities:

Planning and Administration

• Direct the advancement of the organization’s mission, values, and strategic priorities by coordinating KHS’s Learning, Research & Publications, and Historical Resources teams. 
• Using effective communication, think and talk about KHS holistically and strategically, not just through the lens of operations. Take strategic direction from the KHS Executive Director and “cascade” it out to the KHS staff. Likewise, provide a pathway for insights, concerns, and innovations to be communicated from the KHS staff to leadership.
• Facilitate the creation of cross-team interaction to enhance the visitor experience and provide an open line of communication for suggestions as well as the resolution of any issues.
• Provide leadership direction in the administration of day-to-day activities, including planning, budgeting, and staff development. Address resource needs for the organization, both human and financial, by aligning those resources to sustain the value and impact of KHS programs and services.
• Model the values and standards for stewardship, service, and engagement that will enhance the overall reputation of the Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky history.

Special Projects and Initiatives

• Implement and direct multiple projects and oversee the working relationship with “internal clients” throughout KHS and outside vendors.
• Establish project teams and monitor their performance, which includes development goals, assigning accountabilities, setting objectives, establishing priorities, managing financial resources, and administering vendors.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values a commitment to teamwork and excellence.

Human Resources

• Provide resources to leadership and management to encourage mentorship and staff development using a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Supervise the Human Resource Administrator and direct employee assessment and goal setting.
• Direct the HR Administrator and KHS Leadership Team in the establishment of overall staff performance goals, resource allocation, and internal management reporting and evaluation.
• Direct implementation of personnel policies and procedures, ensure compliance with applicable Kentucky State Government regulations, applicable labor laws, and industry standards, and foster a healthy work environment.
• Ensure the HR policies and practices are consistent with the KHS’s values and business needs.

Abilities, Qualifications, and Characteristics:

• Master’s degree (M.A.) or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible administration with demonstrated relevant experience in the areas of responsibility of a museum, history center, or other history-related institution.
• Demonstrated adaptability.  Willingness to be flexible, versatile, and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness, efficiency, and awareness of both human and material resource needs.
• Possess a strategic mindset. Assess options and actions based on trends, conditions in the business environment, and the vision and values of the KHS.
• Ability to communicate effectively. Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Coach, evaluate, and develop people; align performance with organizational goals.  Foster teamwork and a collaborative work environment, helping others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Experience creating museum experiences, from concept, through development and implementation.
• Knowledge of AAM (American Alliance of Museums) Core Standards.

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment:  Ability to organize files and projects and complete them on time.  Must be able to manage multiple projects from concept to completion.  Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and occasionally travel.

This is an unclassified (non-merit) position under KRS 18A.115(1)(u). The annual salary for this position is $85,714.32 with a 5% increase following the successful completion of a probationary period. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, but the position will require occasional night, weekend, or holiday hours as needed. Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, retirement, and optional deferred compensation plans.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov. No telephone calls are accepted. The deadline for submissions is August 19, 2024. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

KHS is an agency of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KHS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, age, pregnancy or related medical condition, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information in accordance with state and federal law.